MK Party
By Nkosana Khumalo
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (“MK Party”) has secured a historic victory in Ward 110 of eThekwini, overturning a long-held Democratic Alliance (DA) stronghold and sending a powerful message about its growing influence in South African politics. Announced on 17 April 2025 by MK Party National Spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, the win in this diverse ward, encompassing areas like Sunningdale, Glen Anil, and Glen Hills, reflects a shifting political tide. “This win is more than just a local government success. It is a clear and resounding sign of the MK Party’s growing dominance in South African politics and beyond,” Ndhlela declared. With a vision centred on “expropriating land without compensation” and redistributing wealth to the marginalised majority, the MK Party’s triumph in Ward 110 positions it as a formidable force ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections, resonating deeply with voters in KwaZulu-Natal and beyond.
A Landmark Victory in a Diverse Ward
Ward 110, located in eThekwini’s northern suburbs, has historically been a DA bastion, with its mix of Indian, white, and black residents shaping a complex electoral landscape. The by-election, triggered by the removal of former DA councillor Aamir Abdul in January 2025, saw seven candidates vie for the seat, including MK’s Mandla Goodoman Biyela, DA’s Rowena Bosman, and independent Bronwynne Georgia Delaney. The MK Party clinched the ward with 2,435 votes (39%), edging out the DA’s 2,413 votes (39%) by a razor-thin margin of 22 votes, while the ANC trailed with 15%. This marked the MK Party’s first metropolitan ward win, a significant milestone since its formation in December 2023.
“For a ward once considered a DA stronghold, this success speaks volumes about the shifting political landscape and the trust that communities are placing in our vision for a better, more inclusive and just South Africa,” Ndhlela said. The victory underscores the MK Party’s ability to appeal across racial and economic lines, challenging perceptions that its support is confined to Zulu nationalist or black voters. Social media posts celebrated the win, with supporters noting that “The MK Party is becoming the fastest growing organization in South Africa,” reflecting the enthusiasm driving its momentum.
The MK Party’s Vision: Land Expropriation and Wealth Redistribution
At the heart of the MK Party’s appeal is its bold stance on “expropriating land without compensation,” a policy that has galvanised support among communities frustrated by South Africa’s slow pace of land reform. “The people of Ward 110 have spoken, and they have chosen a party whose key vision is that of expropriating land without compensation, and redistributing the wealth of this country to its rightful owners: the marginalized majority of this country,” Ndhlela stated. This aligns with the party’s broader ideology, which blends left-wing populism, socialism, and Zulu nationalism, while advocating for policies like nationalising banks and expanding traditional leadership roles.
The MK Party’s land policy seeks to amend Section 25 of the Constitution to enable land redistribution without payment, addressing historical dispossessions dating back to colonial times. In February 2025, Ndhlela criticised the Expropriation Act, signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa, as a “repackaged version of the 1975 apartheid-era legislation” that fails to rectify pre-1913 land thefts. The party’s push for genuine land reform resonates in KwaZulu-Natal, where land disputes and economic inequality remain flashpoints. In Ward 110, voters like Dumisani Xulu, a Durban pastor, have expressed support for MK’s vision, stating, “I used to vote for the ANC, but since (Zuma) said he wants to reclaim the land and to change the country’s constitution I saw that it was a good move.”
Jacob Zuma’s Influence and the MK Party’s Rise
The MK Party’s rapid ascent is closely tied to former President Jacob Zuma, who founded the party in 2023 after distancing himself from the ANC under Cyril Ramaphosa. “I cannot and will not campaign for the ANC of current president Cyril Ramaphosa,” Zuma declared, framing his support for MK as a rejection of a “betrayal” of ANC values. His leadership has propelled MK to prominence, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, where it secured 11.8% of the national vote in the 2024 general election and outperformed the ANC in the province.
Zuma’s influence was evident in Ward 110, where MK’s campaign leveraged his populist appeal and promises of radical change. The party’s victory over the DA, a party perceived as resistant to transformative policies like land expropriation, highlights its ability to disrupt established political players. “The MK Party is not just a movement, but the future of this country,” Ndhlela asserted, echoing Zuma’s vision of a South Africa that prioritises the “poor black majority.”
Implications for eThekwini and the 2026 Elections
The Ward 110 win is a game-changer for eThekwini, South Africa’s third-largest metropolitan municipality, which has faced governance challenges, including water shortages and financial mismanagement. The MK Party’s entry into the metro council introduces a new dynamic, potentially shifting coalition negotiations in a council where the ANC and DA have often clashed. With MK’s Mandla Biyela now representing areas like Mount Moriah and Dalefarm, residents anticipate a focus on service delivery and economic empowerment, aligning with the party’s socialist policies.
“This victory reaffirms what we have stated all along: the MK Party is not just a movement, but the future of this country,” Ndhlela said, projecting confidence for the 2026 Local Government Elections. The MK Party’s success in by-elections since 2024, including wins in Ray Nkonyeni and uMgungundlovu, suggests a growing foothold in KwaZulu-Natal, a province critical to national politics. Analysts predict MK could challenge the ANC’s dominance in eThekwini, where the ruling party’s vote share dropped to 20% in Ward 110, down from 38% in prior elections.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite its electoral gains, the MK Party faces hurdles. The ANC has challenged the party’s use of the uMkhonto weSizwe name, claiming it infringes on its historical legacy as the apartheid-era military wing. A 2024 court ruling dismissed the ANC’s trademark case, finding no voter confusion between the parties’ symbols, but tensions persist. Additionally, MK’s nomination of impeached judge John Hlophe to the Judicial Service Commission in September 2024 sparked legal battles, with critics arguing it undermines judicial integrity.
The party’s policies, including its “anti-foreigner” stance and support for repealing same-sex marriage laws, have drawn criticism for promoting “predatory and authoritarian nationalism with far right-wing social views.” Yet, these positions have not dented MK’s appeal in KwaZulu-Natal, where polls show strong support among black and coloured communities.
Community Response and Voter Sentiment
The Ward 110 victory has electrified MK supporters, with social media posts proclaiming, “As the MKP train continues to cause havoc, MK has just won Ward 110 in eThekwini, snatching it from the DA.” Residents like Princess Nozwe Zulu, a Savannah Park businesswoman, see MK as a vehicle for change, stating, “Black people cannot be slaves in their own country forever.” The DA, despite a robust campaign, acknowledged the loss, with its vote share dipping from 44% to 39%, signaling a need to reassess its strategy in diverse wards.
Voter turnout, at 34% compared to 46% in prior elections, suggests a motivated MK base, possibly driven by dissatisfaction with the DA’s governance record and the ANC’s declining credibility. The MK Party’s ground forces, praised by Ndhlela, played a crucial role, with door-to-door campaigns and community rallies amplifying its message of land reform and economic justice.
Land Expropriation: A Divisive Yet Popular Policy
The MK Party’s push for “expropriating land without compensation” taps into deep-seated frustrations over South Africa’s unequal land ownership, where 72% of farmland remains in white hands. A 2021 ANC proposal to amend the Constitution for expropriation failed, opposed by the DA, Freedom Front Plus, and even the EFF, highlighting the policy’s contentiousness. MK’s rejection of the 2025 Expropriation Act as inadequate reflects its radical stance, appealing to voters who feel betrayed by incremental reforms.
In February 2025, MK opened a treason case against AfriForum, accusing the group of lobbying US President Donald Trump to cut aid over South Africa’s land policies. Trump’s executive order, citing the Expropriation Act and South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, has fueled MK’s narrative of foreign interference in land reform. While AfriForum denied the allegations, the controversy has bolstered MK’s populist credentials, positioning it as a defender of national sovereignty.
South African Context: A Shifting Political Landscape
The MK Party’s Ward 110 win reflects broader trends in South African politics, where the ANC’s dominance is waning. In the 2024 national election, the ANC’s vote share fell to 41.9%, losing its majority for the first time in 30 years, partly due to MK’s 11.8% national performance. KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa’s second-most populous province, has become MK’s stronghold, with polls predicting it could lead in 2026.
The EFF, once a key player in radical politics, has lost ground to MK, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, where MK “chewed into EFF votes” in 2024. The DA, despite retaining wards elsewhere, faces pressure in urban areas, as seen in its Johannesburg loss to the Patriotic Alliance in April 2025. MK’s ability to attract former ANC and EFF voters, as well as disaffected DA supporters, signals a realignment driven by economic hardship and unaddressed historical grievances.
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